The Pastor's Message
Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ,
As Foochow Methodist Church enter its 129th year of history, we stand at an important threshold. Like Israel on the edge of the Promised Land, we are entering a new season—not only in our church life, but also in our neighbourhood, with new families moving into the BTO opposite our church. God is doing something new among us, and He is calling us to be ready.
For the next three months, I invite us as one church family to journey together through the Book of Numbers, both in <Daily Manna Together> and weekly sermons. The Book of Numbers reminds us that the wilderness is not wasted. It is where God forms His people—teaching them obedience, dependence, holiness, and trust so that they may inherit His promises and become a blessing to others.
Israel’s failure was not lack of promise, but lack of preparation. God desires more than our activity; He desires our hearts. As we study Numbers, let us allow the Holy Spirit to search us: Are we walking in faith or fear? In gratitude or complaint? In obedience or resistance? This season of Scripture is an invitation to grow—personally and corporately—so that we may truly be God’s people for God’s purposes.
Our new neighbours are not here incidentally; they are a divine assignment. God has placed us here for such a time as this. But before we can bless others, we must first be shaped by God’s Word. As we dwell daily in Scripture and gather weekly to hear it proclaimed, may God renew our minds, strengthen our faith, and align our hearts with His mission.
Church, let us walk this journey together. May God prepare us, mature us, and send us out—to inherit His promises and to be a blessing to many, for His glory alone.
FMC Pastoral Team
Introduction To The Book of Numbers
The Book of Numbers records Israel’s journey from Mount Sinai to the edge of the Promised Land. Its title comes from the two censuses (numberings) of Israel, one at the beginning and one near the end, showing a transition from an unprepared generation to a prepared one.
Numbers is not just a travel log it is a spiritual story of faith, failure, discipline, and growth. It reveals how God remains faithful to His promises even when His people struggle to trust Him. The wilderness becomes a place of testing, training, and transformation.
Key themes:
• God’s holiness and order
• Human unbelief and rebellion
• Divine discipline and mercy
• Leadership development
• Preparation for God’s promise
Growing Through the Wilderness: Numbers powerfully illustrates that the wilderness is not wasted time.
• The wilderness reveals the heart: Fear, faith, obedience, and rebellion all surface.
• The wilderness forms maturity: God shapes leaders, deepens dependence, and teaches obedience.
• The wilderness separates generations: One generation dies in unbelief; another rises in faith.
• The wilderness prepares for promise: God uses trials to prepare His people for blessing.
Just as Israel had to grow before entering Canaan, believers today often walk through “wilderness seasons” where God is:
• Teaching trust
• Correcting attitudes
• Developing perseverance
• Preparing us for His promises
Outline of the Book of Numbers
1. Preparation at Sinai (Numbers 1–10:10)
• Census of the tribes
• Organization of the camp
• Duties of the Levites
• God establishes order and readiness
Focus: God prepares His people structurally and spiritually for the journey.
2. Journey from Sinai to Kadesh (Numbers 10:11–12)
• Departure from Sinai
• Complaints and discontent
• Leadership challenges (Moses, Miriam,Aaron)
Focus: Early signs of resistance to growth.
3. Rebellion and Wandering (Numbers 13–19)
• Spies and refusal to enter the land
• Judgment: 40 years in the wilderness
• Korah’s rebellion
• Laws emphasizing holiness
Focus: Unbelief delays God’s promise.
4. Transition to a New Generation (Numbers 20–25)
• Death of Miriam and Aaron
• Moses’ failure at Meribah
• God’s continued provision
• Balaam’s oracles
Focus: God’s purposes continue despite human failure.
5. Preparation to Enter the Promised Land (Numbers 26–36)
• Second census
• Inheritance laws
• Appointment of Joshua
• Boundaries and cities
Focus:A new generation is ready to move forward.
How To Practice Daily Devotions
God is a personal Spirit, and “Heavenly Father” is more than just a title—it reflects the deep reality that He is our loving and caring Father. Through the spiritual discipline of daily devotions, we come to know, communicate, and walk closely with Him.
Daily devotions involve setting aside specific times to draw near to God, to know Him, and to align with His will. Through reading the Bible, we come to understand His intentions, and we can respond to God in prayer and reflection. By dedicating time each day to read the Bible, pray, and meditate on God’s word, we allow God’s presence into our lives to guide us. Jesus often withdrew from the crowd and His disciples to commune with the Father in solitude, gaining strength and direction to fulfil His mission.
1. The Purpose of Daily Devotions
a. To draw closer to God and communicate with Him. In these end times, God calls us to be awake and alert, using His Word to sustain us.
“I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word. My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises.” (Psalm 119:147-148, NIV)
b. To receive guidance and light for our lives.“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” (Psalm 119:105, NIV)
c. To renew our minds to live out our new life in Christ. By studying the scriptures, God’s servants are thoroughly equipped for every good work and taught to live righteously.
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
(2 Timothy 3:16-17, NIV)
2. Preparation for Daily Devotions
• Time: Select a time when you can be undisturbed and alone, whether in the morning or in the evening for reflection.
• Place: Find a quiet, distraction-free space where you can focus.
• Materials: Have your Bible, a notebook for recording reflections, and a pen ready.
• Mindset: Approach God with a calm and open heart, prepared to hear from Him and encounter Him.
3. Spiritual Discipline
Daily devotions as a spiritual discipline is not meant to be rigid or legalistic, just as our relationships with family members are not meant to feel burdensome. Time spent with our Heavenly Father should feel genuine and heartfelt. For those starting out, simple and practical methods can help cultivate meaningful spiritual habits and deepen our relationship with our Heavenly Father.
Daily Scripture Readings
Date
26/1 Numbers 1
21/2 Weekly Reflection
27/1 Numbers 2 22/2 Sermon-Numbers 7-8
28/1 John 3:16-21
29/1 Ephesians 4
30/1 Revelation 21
31/1 Weekly Reflection
1/2 Sermon-Numbers 1-2
2/2 Numbers 3
23/2 Numbers 9
24/2 Numbers 10
25/2 Philippians 2:5-11
26/2 Luke 18:18-34
27/2 Romans 8:1-16
28/2 Weekly Reflection
3/2 Numbers 4 1/3 Sermon-Numbers 9-10
4/2 Hebrews 10:1-24 2/3 Numbers 11
5/2 1 Peter 2:1-14 3/3 Numbers 12
6/2 Revelation 7:4-17 4/3 Romans 5:1-11
7/2 Weekly Reflection
5/3 Ephesians 2
8/2 Sermon-Numbers 3-4 6/3 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
9/2 Numbers 5 7/3 Weekly Reflection
10/2 Numbers 6 8/3 Sermon-Numbers 11-12
11/2 Titus 2:11-14 9/3 Numbers 13
12/2 2 Cor 7:8-16 10/3 Numbers 14
13/2 Ephesians 5:22-33 11/3 Numbers 15
14/2 Weekly Reflection 12/3 Luke 1:46-55
15/2 Sermon-Numbers 5-6 13/3 Hebrews 2:9-18
16/2 Numbers 7 14/3 Weekly Reflection
17/2 Numbers 8 15/3 Sermon-Numbers 13-15
18/2 John 17
19/2 Colossians 3
20/2 Ephesians 1:4-10
Reflection
Numbers 1
God orders His people as a redeemed community, counting them not merely as individuals but as an army prepared for His purposes. Growth begins with understanding identity, that God knows His people by name and calls them to belong to His covenant community.
Reflection Questions:
• What does it mean for you to know that God knows you personally and counts you among His people?
• How does this shape your sense of belonging in the church?
Application & Prayer
Reflection
Numbers 2
The people are arranged around the dwelling place of God, showing that His presence is meant to be central in their lives together. True growth happens when God is not on the margins but at the centre of how His people live, move, and make decisions.
Reflection Questions:
• What currently sits at the centre of your life, and how does it shape your priorities?
• How can you more intentionally order your life around God’s presence?
Application & Prayer
(Wed)
Reflection
Application & Prayer John 3:16-21
God’s love is revealed through the giving of His Son, offering life to all who believe. Growth in Christ involves moving out of darkness and into the light, choosing truth and responding to God’s grace with faith and obedience.
Reflection Questions:
• Are there areas of your life where God is calling you to step more fully into the light?
Reflection
Ephesians 4
God’s people are called to grow into maturity together, marked by unity, humility, and love. Growth in Christ is not only personal but communal, as each person plays a part in building up the body through faithful living and service.
Reflection:
• How is God using your gifts to build up others in the body of Christ?
• What does growing toward maturity in Christ look like for you in your relationships within the church?
Application & Prayer
(Fri)
Reflection
A vision is given of God dwelling fully with His people, where brokenness, sorrow, and death are no more. This future hope strengthens believers to persevere and grow in faith, knowing that God is making all things new.
Reflection:
• How does the promise of God’s future dwelling with His people strengthen your faith today?
• In what ways can this future hope influence how you live for Christ now?
Application & Prayer
Reflection
Application & Prayer 31/1 (Sat) 1/2 (Sun)
Notes
Sunday Service: Numbers 1-2
Sermon Topic: Grow in Identity “Be still, listen, and respond to God.”
Application & Prayer
Reflection
Numbers 3
God sets apart a specific group of people to serve in place of the firstborn, showing that drawing near to Him is both a privilege and a calling. Their service is rooted in redemption and obedience, reminding God’s people that ministry flows from belonging to Him.
Reflection Questions:
• How does seeing service as a privilege, not an obligation, change your attitude toward ministry?
• Where might God be inviting you to serve Him more faithfully at this stage of your life?
Application & Prayer
Reflection
Numbers 4
Different responsibilities are assigned for the care of sacred things, emphasising reverence, order, and careful obedience. Growth in faith involves taking God seriously and handling what belongs to Him with humility and respect.
Reflection Questions:
• What does reverence for God look like in your everyday life?
• How can you grow in faithfulness and attentiveness in the responsibilities God has given you?
Application & Prayer
Reflection
Application & Prayer Hebrews 10:1-24
Through a perfect and complete sacrifice, the way to God is fully opened. God’s people are invited to draw near with confidence, hold firmly to hope, and spur one another on toward love and good deeds as a worshipping community.
Reflection Questions:
• What helps or hinders you from drawing near to God with confidence?
• How can you intentionally encourage others toward love and good works?
Reflection
Application & Prayer 1 Peter 2:1-14
God’s people are being shaped into a spiritual community, called to reflect His holiness and declare His goodness. Growth in Christ involves putting away old ways of life and living out a new identity that stands out in the world.
Reflection Questions:
• What attitudes or habits might God be calling you to put aside as you grow in Christ?
• How does knowing your identity as God’s chosen people affect the way you live among others?
Reflection
A vision is given of God’s redeemed people from every nation, gathered before Him in worship and fully cared for by the Lamb. God’s servants are preserved through trials and brought into a future where suffering is removed and joy is complete.
Reflection Questions:
• How does this picture of future worship strengthen you to remain faithful today?
• In what ways does the hope of God’s final restoration shape your perseverance in following Christ?
Application & Prayer
Reflection
Application & Prayer 7/2 (Sat) 8/2 (Sun)
Notes
Sunday Service: Numbers 3-4
Sermon Topic: Grow in Devotion “Be still, listen, and respond to God.”
Application & Prayer
Reflection
Numbers 5
God calls His people to take holiness seriously in their communal life. Sin, impurity, and broken relationships cannot be ignored because they affect the whole community. Growth in God’s people involves honest dealing with sin, repentance, and restored relationships, so that God’s presence may dwell among them without hindrance.
Reflection Questions:
• Are there areas of your life where God is calling you to address sin or brokenness honestly?
• How does personal holiness contribute to the spiritual health of the wider community?
Application & Prayer
Reflection
Numbers 6
God invites His people into a life set apart for Him, marked by devotion and blessing. Being consecrated to God is not merely about restraint, but about belonging wholly to Him. The passage ends with God’s gracious desire to bless, keep, and give peace to His people, showing that growth in holiness flows from God’s gracious favour.
Reflection Questions:
• What does it look like for you to live a life fully devoted to God today?
• How does knowing God delights in blessing His people encourage you to grow in holiness?
Application & Prayer
(Wed)
Reflection
Titus 2:11-14
God’s grace not only saves but also trains His people to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives. Growth in Christ involves turning away from worldly passions and living with hope, as people who belong to Christ and are eager to do good.
Reflection Questions:
• How is God’s grace shaping the way you live day by day?
• In what areas is God inviting you to grow in self-control and godliness?
Application & Prayer
Reflection
Application & Prayer 2 Cor 7:8-16
True repentance leads to transformation, restoration, and joy. Godly sorrow is not meant to crush but to heal, producing renewed obedience and deeper relationships. Growth in Christ often involves facing uncomfortable truths that lead to life and renewed faithfulness.
Reflection Questions:
• How do you usually respond when God convicts you of sin or wrongdoing?
• What does genuine repentance look like in your life right now?
Reflection
Ephesians 5:22-33
God reveals His vision for relationships shaped by Christ’s sacrificial love. Marriage is presented as a living picture of Christ’s love for His people, marked by self-giving, holiness, and faithfulness. Growth in Christ is seen as believers learn to love others not for self-interest, but in reflection of Christ’s love.
Reflection Questions:
• How does Christ’s love shape the way you relate to others in your closest relationships?
• What might God be growing in you through the call to love sacrificially and faithfully?
Application & Prayer
Reflection
Application & Prayer 14/2 (Sat)
15/2 (Sun)
Notes
Sunday Service: Numbers 5-6
Sermon Topic: Grow in Holiness “Be still, listen, and respond to God.”
Application & Prayer
Reflection
Numbers 7
God delights in His people, who willingly bring their offerings to Him in unity and devotion. Though each offering is the same, every gift is received and recorded, showing that faithfulness, not uniqueness, matters most. Growth in Christ is expressed through steady, wholehearted service offered to God together with His people.
Reflection Questions:
• How do you view your acts of service to God, as duty, comparison, or worship?
• What helps you remain faithful in serving God even when your contribution feels ordinary?
Application & Prayer
(Feb)
Numbers 8
God sets apart those who serve Him, calling them to purity and readiness. Service flows from consecration, and those who minister must first belong wholly to God. Growth in Christ involves allowing God to cleanse, shape, and prepare us for faithful service.
Reflection Questions:
• In what ways is God preparing or refining you for service right now?
• How does personal holiness strengthen your service to God and others?
Reflection
Application & Prayer
Reflection
John 17
Jesus prays for His followers to be protected, sanctified, and united. Growth in Christ is deeply relational, grounded in truth and love, and aimed at reflecting God’s glory to the world. Unity among believers becomes a powerful witness of God’s work.
Reflection Questions:
• How does Jesus’ prayer shape the way you understand unity and holiness?
• What steps can you take to grow in love and unity with other believers?
Application & Prayer
Reflection
Colossians 3
Believers are called to live out their new identity in Christ by putting off old ways and putting on Christlike character. Growth in Christ is a daily, intentional process of renewal, as hearts and minds are shaped by God’s word, peace, and love.
Reflection Questions:
• What old attitudes or behaviours is God asking you to lay aside?
• What Christlike qualities is God growing in you during this season?"
Application & Prayer
(Fri)
Ephesians 1:4-10
God’s eternal plan is revealed in Christ, who brings redemption, forgiveness, and unity. Believers grow in faith as they grasp that they are chosen, loved, and included in God’s greater purpose, centred on Christ and aimed at His glory.
Reflection Questions:
• How does knowing you are chosen and loved in Christ shape your confidence and faith?
• In what ways can you grow in aligning your life with God’s bigger purposes in Christ?"
Reflection
Application & Prayer
Reflection
Application & Prayer 21/2 (Sat)
22/2 (Sun)
Notes
Sunday Service: Numbers 5-6
Sermon Topic: Grow in Unity “Be still, listen, and respond to God.”
Application & Prayer
Reflection
Numbers 9
God teaches His people to live by His presence and timing. They move only when He leads and remain still when He calls them to wait. Growth in faith means learning trustful dependence, obeying God not only in action but also in patience.
Reflection Questions:
• Where is God calling you to trust Him through waiting rather than rushing ahead?
• What helps you discern whether you are moving by God’s leading or by your own desires?
Application & Prayer
Reflection
Numbers 10
God orders the community for the journey ahead, giving clear signals for gathering, moving, and marching together. The people do not travel as scattered individuals but as one community under God’s direction. Growth in Christ includes learning to walk in step with God and with His people.
Reflection Questions:
• What does it look like for you to journey in faith with the church community, not alone?
• Are there habits or priorities you need to change so that your life is more aligned with God’s direction?
Application & Prayer
(Wed)
Philippians 2:5-11
Christ’s humility is the pattern for mature discipleship. He did not cling to His rights but willingly emptied Himself, obeyed fully, and became a servant. Growth in Christ is seen when His mindset shapes our own, leading us toward humility, obedience, and servant-hearted love.
Reflection Questions:
• In what areas is pride preventing you from growing in Christlike humility?
• What would obedience look like for you when it costs something?
Reflection
Application & Prayer
Reflection
Following Jesus requires surrender. The rich ruler shows that outward morality cannot replace wholehearted trust and willingness to let go. Jesus teaches that true discipleship may involve sacrifice, but it also brings deeper life and lasting reward. Growth in faith includes releasing what competes with Christ for our hearts.
Reflection Questions:
• What might be competing with Jesus for first place in your heart?
• What is one step of surrender God is calling you to take in order to follow Christ more fully?
Application & Prayer
Reflection
Application & Prayer Romans 8:1-16
Life in Christ brings freedom from condemnation and power to live differently. God gives His Spirit to lead, transform, and assure believers that they belong to Him as His children. Growth in Christ is not driven by guilt or fear but by Spiritled living and the confidence of being God’s beloved children.
Reflection Questions:
• Are you living more from guilt and fear, or from the freedom and assurance God gives?
• How can you grow in listening to and walking by the Spirit’s leading this week?
(Sat)
Reflection
Application & Prayer
1/3 (Sun)
Notes
Sunday Service: Numbers 5-6
Sermon Topic: Grow in Obedience “Be still, listen, and respond to God.”
Application & Prayer
Reflection
Numbers 11
God’s people begin to complain in the wilderness, revealing hearts that doubt His goodness and grow dissatisfied with His provision. Their cravings show how quickly faith can weaken when circumstances become uncomfortable. Yet God also provides help for Moses and shows that He is both just and merciful. Growth in Christ includes learning to be content, trusting God’s wisdom, and recognising how unbelief can distort our desires.
Reflection Questions:
• What do your complaints reveal about what you are trusting, or not trusting, about God?
• Where is God inviting you to grow in contentment and gratitude?
Application & Prayer
Reflection
Numbers 12
Jealousy and pride rise within leadership, threatening the unity of God’s people. God intervenes to correct the wrong and to affirm His chosen servant. At the same time, mercy is shown through intercession and restoration. Growth involves learning humility, honouring God’s order, and choosing unity over rivalry.
Reflection Questions:
• Are there hidden attitudes of comparison, jealousy, or pride affecting your relationships?
• How can you grow in humility and honour others in the body of Christ?
Application & Prayer
Reflection
Romans 5:1-11
Believers have peace with God through Christ and can rejoice even in suffering, because trials produce endurance and hope. God’s love is not uncertain; it has already been demonstrated through Christ’s death for sinners. Growth in faith means learning to rest in God’s love and to see hardships through the lens of hope and redemption.
Reflection Questions:
• How does knowing you have peace with God shape how you face difficulties?
• Where do you need to grow in trusting that God is using suffering to deepen your hope?
Application & Prayer
Reflection
Ephesians 2
God saves not by human effort but by grace, raising people from spiritual death into new life. This grace also breaks down divisions, creating one united people in Christ. Growth in Christ involves remembering who we were without God, living gratefully in His grace, and learning to walk in unity with His people.
Reflection Questions:
• How does remembering God’s grace reshape your humility and gratitude?
• What walls might God be calling you to tear down so that unity in Christ can grow?"
Application & Prayer
Reflection
Love is described as patient, kind, and enduring, the true mark of spiritual maturity. It is not defined by feelings but by character, sacrifice, and perseverance. Growth in Christ is measured not mainly by knowledge or activity but by becoming more loving as Christ loves.
Reflection Questions:
• Which description of love challenges you the most right now, and why?
• What is one practical way you can “grow in love” in a difficult relationship this week?
Application & Prayer
Reflection
Application & Prayer 7/3 (Sat) 8/3 (Sun)
Notes
Sunday Service: Numbers 11-12
Sermon Topic: Grow through Grace “Be still, listen, and respond to God.”
Application & Prayer
Reflection
Numbers 13
God’s people stand at the edge of promise, but their perspective is tested. The land is good, yet fear begins to shape their interpretation of reality. Growth in faith requires learning to see circumstances through God’s promises rather than through anxiety and self-reliance.
Reflection Questions:
• When you face challenges, do you tend to focus more on God’s promises or on the “giants” in front of you?
• What would it look like for you to respond in faith instead of fear in a current situation?
Application & Prayer
Reflection
Numbers 14
Fear turns into rebellion as the people reject God’s promise and long to return to slavery. Their unbelief is serious, and there are consequences, yet God also shows mercy through intercession and continues His covenant purposes. Growth in Christ involves learning from failure, repenting of unbelief, and choosing to trust God’s character even after we stumble.
Reflection Questions:
• Are there areas where you are tempted to “turn back” rather than trust God forward?
• How does God’s mercy toward His people encourage you to repent and keep walking with Him?
Application & Prayer
(Wed)
Numbers 15
After judgment, God gives instructions for worship, offerings, and daily obedience, showing that failure does not end the relationship. God continues to provide a way for His people to live faithfully and remember His commands. Growth is often shown in renewed obedience, learning to walk steadily with God after spiritual setbacks.
Reflection Questions:
• When you fail spiritually, do you withdraw from God or return to Him in renewed obedience?
• What practices can help you remember God’s Word and stay faithful day by day?"
Reflection
Application & Prayer
Reflection
Luke 1:46-55
This song overflows with worship and trust in God’s greatness, mercy, and faithfulness. God lifts the humble, keeps His promises, and shows kindness across generations. Growth in faith is nurtured through worship that remembers who God is and what He has done.
Reflection Questions:
• How does worship help reshape your heart when you feel uncertain or afraid?
• What past mercies of God can you remember and praise Him for today?
Application & Prayer
Reflection
Hebrews 2:9-18
Jesus shares fully in human weakness and suffering in order to save His people. Through His suffering and death, He defeats the power of death and becomes a merciful and faithful High Priest who helps those who are tempted. Growth in Christ is grounded in knowing that Jesus understands our struggles and gives grace to persevere.
Reflection Questions:
• How does knowing Jesus understands suffering and temptation strengthen your faith?
• Where do you need to rely more consciously on Christ’s help and mercy in your current struggles?
Application & Prayer
Reflection
Application & Prayer 14/3 (Sat)
15/3 (Sun)
Notes
Sunday Service: Numbers 13-15
Sermon Topic: Grow In Faith “Be still, listen, and respond to God.”
Application & Prayer
